Dr Semisi Taumoepeau, of Auckland, MNZM for services to education and tourism
Dr Semisi Taumoepeau is the Head of the Tourism Management Department and Director of Pasifika Studies and Relations at the Auckland Institute of Studies (AIS). He has developed academic partnerships and pathways between AIS and several Pacific tertiary organisations and with the Tongan tertiary institutes sector. He has taught and mentored many Pacific tertiary students to gain their qualifications and employment within sectors that are vital to economic growth. He has been an active researcher in the fields of Pacific aviation economics, tourism development and Pacific tertiary education. Dr Taumoepeau has authored many research publications, journal articles and books on these disciplines for Pacific region practitioners and educators.